Sen. Feinstein among those questioning Elena Kagan

by Kitty Felde

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Elena Kagan begins what is expected to be a week-long hearing on her nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. So far, California’s senior senator likes what she’s seen.

Day one should be pretty tame.

Senators on the Judiciary Committee, including California Democrat Dianne Feinstein, will make opening statements. Solicitor General Kagan will follow with her own opening comments.

Senator Feinstein met with Kagan several weeks ago and said she liked the idea of a third woman on the high court. She said Kagan’s lack of judicial experience could actually be a benefit.

"I think the important thing is that you get a spread of abilities on that court."

Conservative senators are likely to question Kagan about the role international law should play in Supreme Court decisions. They’ll almost certainly ask the former Harvard Law School dean about a policy to keep military recruiters off the campus because of the Pentagon’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.